Application Number: 004 
Fellowship Rationale and Purpose: 
When thinking about your teaching practice, what would you like to learn? 
What are the key questions you want to explore? 
What challenges or passion inspires your proposal fellowship? 

One challenge that I have faced during my years of teaching social studies is how to make historical events and 
individuals relatable to my students. Living in a small sheltered rural town where families can trace their heritage to 
the local cemetery and whose fore fathers worked in the mills or the woods it is hard for students to connect to the 
individuals found in their textbook. Looking around my classroom and the town you will find people of similar 
ethnicity, cultural experiences and beliefs. When discussing different parts of the country and periods of history 
students have no schema to draw from. 


As a history and government teacher, I have tried to instill in my students the idea that history is more then facts, 
dates, and people they cant relate too. I have always tried to demonstrate that there are different perspectives when it 
comes to history. I am always on the look out for materials that will show different points of views. The internet has 
made this search easier. I have found that students are most interested in the subject of history when it is told in story 
form. On those days when I come to class with ancedotes from history rather than facts or figures the students come 
to realize that those famous men and women from our past are just like them. It is those moments that I can share with 
my students about places I have visited or plan on visiting that bring history alive for my students. It is no longer 
words in an out-of-date textbook but the words of a person who has experienced the sites where historical events 
occurred. The stories I bring draw my students into learning. 


One area of American history that has always caught my attention is the Civil War. From my 20th century, northern 
point of view it is infallible to understand how this great nation could have been torn apart. How could two sides of 
the country be so different from each other that one side wanted to form its own nation? I have had the opportunity to 
do some reading on this subject and visit a few northern locations in which the Civil War took place. My students 
have not had this opportunity and the only history they learn is through textbooks, the history channel and any 
personalized investigations of their own. When it comes to this time period in history I want my students to connect 
more. I want them to have an understanding for both sides of the Civil War and not just the northern perspective. I 
want them to understand that there were two sides and what those men were fighting for. I want them to have the 
opportunity to see what great leaders came out of the civil war and to be able to relate to why these men felt and 
fought the way they did. I want them to go beyond the textbook. 


Through this fellowship I would like to explore Civil War history in multiple locations in Virginia and in Gettsyburg 
Pennsylvania. I want to visit the historical locations and battlefields that southerners lived and died on for their cause. 
I want to bring back to my students and my classroom materials, pictures, videos, information, artifacts, and my 
personal experience and stories from visiting, studying and exploring the southern view of the American Civil War. 
While I am on the trip I want to communicate back to my students, colleagues, and community through a blog. I want 
to create Power Point presentations of photographs that will bring my students on a tour of the locations I have 
visited. I want my students to experience history through more than a textbook. 


Key Questions: 


What is the southern perspective of the Civil War? 
What was daily life like for those who lived in the Confederate States of America during the Civil War? 
What can historical battlefields such as Fredericksburg, Gettsyburg, Manassas, and Appomattox Court House tell us 
about southern and northern battle strategies. 



Application Number: 004 
Current Grade Level: 9-12th Grade 
Current Teaching Assignment: History/Social Studies 

Project Description: 

Describe and outline in detail your proposed fellowship. 
What key activities will you pursue, and why are they important? 
What is the time frame for achieving the goals outlined in the rationale and purpose? 


For my trip I propose flying from Manchester, New Hampshire to Baltimore, Maryland where I will rent a car and 
start my exploration of the American Civil War. From Saturday, July 26th through August 16 I plan to travel around 
the major battlefields and historical sites that represent Virginias history of the Civil War. 


My trek through history will begin with the Manassas Battlefield where I will examine the official first battle of the 
civil war. From there I will travel to the towns of Front Royal, Winchester, Middletown, New Market, and 
Charlottesville where I will explore plantations, Abrams Delight, and the battlefields of Cedar Creek, New Market, 
and Front Royal. Touring these sites will give me the opportunity to view some of the lesser studied battle fields as 
well as civilian life during the Civil War. 


In Lexington I will have the chance to explore Stonewall Jacksons cemetery, house, and VMI Museum and 
Academy. This will give me the opportunity to explore the earlier life of Stonewall Jackson, his life while at the 
military academy and his final resting place. 


From Lexington I will travel to Appomattox Court House where I will have the opportunity to stand on the grounds 
where the Civil War ended. After Appomattax Court House I will continue on to Colonial Heights and Richmond. 
There I will explore the capital of the Confederacy. In Petersburg I will visit Pamphlin Historical Park, Petersburg 
Battlefield, and Old Blandford Church. 


From Petersburg I will travel to Newsport News, Hampton, Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg Virginia. In 
these locations I will focus on sites that make up the foundation of Virginian history and the founding of our nation. I 
will view the starting point of slavery in the south and will visit the location of the final battle of the American 
Revolution. I will also visit the Mariners Museum and have the opportunity to study maritime history. 


From Williamsburg I will head to Fredericksburg where I will spend several days walking around the battlefields of 
Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, and Wilderness. In those locations I will also examine how locals lived during the Civil 
War and the life of a soldier. 


My final stop on my 20 days of travels through the Civil War and Virginian history will be at Gettysburg 
Pennsylvania. There I will follow the path of the Confederate army under the command of Robert E. Lee. I will view 
the town and the battlefield and try to understand what life was like during those bloody days in history. 


My trip will end with my return flight home from Baltimore, Maryland to Manchester, New Hampshire. I will bring 
home the resources I need to demonstrate to my students the southern view during the American Civil War. I will 
bring pictures and stories of my adventures in the south and will give students the opportunity to step back into the 
past. 


Teacher Growth and Learning: 

The best way to learn history is to experience it. It is unfortunate that no one has invented a time machine so we could 
go back in time and actually witness the events we are so passionate about. The closest we can come as teachers and 
individuals is to visit the locations that these amazing individuals walked on and try to see what they saw and 
understand what they believed. History comes alive for me when I am able to bring back to my classroom the stories 
I learn while visiting historical sites and the materials, pictures, and souvenirs that I can bring back to show. This trip 
would give me the opportunity to view history through the eyes of those who fought on those battlefields and those 
who lived through this unbelievable time in history. History would be more than just the words I read. It would be 
real and tangible. 


Application Number: 004 
Current Grade Level: 9-12th Grade 
Current Teaching Assignment: History/Social Studies

real and tangible. 

I will be able to address the key questions and learning goals that I have set out for my class by visiting the different 
locations, taking tours, and talking to those who have the knowledge about this time period. I will be able to create 
presentations, Power Points and a book about my summer journal that demonstrates to the students what the 
battlefields were like and what life was like for the common man. For this unit of study the students will not focus on 
the textbook but will have the opportunity to learn about this time period through my experiences in visiting Virginia. 

Student Growth and Learning: 

I have always felt that one way to encourage students to learn is to demonstrate that I am still learning myself. 
Learning does not end when you walk out of the school with your diploma. I have modeled this by talking to the 
students about the process I went through to get my masters degree as well as the additional courses I have taken to 
work technology into my classroom. When taking a personal vacation to a historical site, I bring back to my students 
the new knowledge I have learned and pictures and materials that I brought home from there. I am always 
encouraging my students to read and telling them about news stories and books that I am reading. I believe that 
students will come to understand that learning continues well after graduation when they see those around them 
continuing to grow and learn. 

I plan to share my knowledge learned on this trip in multiple ways. While on the trip I am going to keep a blog about 
my adventures and my new learning. I am going to invite staff, students, parents, and the community to read and 
respond to my blog. When I return my from trip I am going to share my new knowledge with the department I work 
with and the school through Power Points and a book that I plan to put together of my trip. I am going to create 
presentations about the leadership of the south, the people of the south, and the battlefields of the south. I am going to 
plan a presentation for the school board and the community and work towards taking my students on a trip to 
Virginia and Washington DC so that they can witness history themselves. True learning will come from having the 
opportunity to visit locations. 

Benefits to School Community: 

I plan to document my travels and learning in many ways. While on the trip I want to communicate with my students, 
colleagues, and community through a blog. When I return I am going to document my travels through creating a 
book with pictures and my learning. I want to put together Power Point presentations that my colleagues and I can 
use showing leadership, the battlefields and the local people of the south. I want to bring a different perspective to my 
classroom and this fellowship would allow me to do this. I will put together a comprehensive unit for my students 
that focuses on both the northern and the southern perspectives of the civil war. 

Documentation of Learning: 

I plan to document my travels and learning in many ways. While on the trip I want to communicate with my students, 
colleagues, and community through a blog. When I return I am going to document my travels through creating a 
book with pictures and my learning. I want to put together Power Point presentations that my colleagues and I can 
use showing leadership, the battlefields and the local people of the south. I want to bring a different perspective to my 
classroom and this fellowship would allow me to do this. I will put together a comprehensive unit for my students 
that focuses on both the northern and the southern perspectives of the civil war. 

Budget Narrative: 

Transportation 
I plan to fly from MHT to BWI. The flight will cost approximately $150.00 each way. From there, I will rent a car 
using Hertz. The cost of the car for the entire duration of my trip is estimated at $1000.00. To cover the cost of gas 
that will be needed to travel around Virginia and Maryland I am estimating $500.00 for the duration of my travels. 


Application Number: 004 
Current Grade Level: 9-12th Grade 
Current Teaching Assignment: History/Social Studies 

Lodging 
I plan to stay in hotels in the following locations: Front Royal, Middletown, New Market, Lexington, Colonial 
Heights, Hampton, Williamsburg, Fredericksburg, and Gettsyburg. The types of hotels I plan to stay at are Super 8s, 
EcoLodge, Red Roof Inn, and Days Inn. Most of the hotels I plan to stay at cost around $60.00 a night. The hotel in 
Gettysburg cost around $120.00 a night. I am estimating that the total cost of my hotel stays will cost $1550. 

Food Allowance 
I am requesting a food allowance to cover the cost of 22 days for this trip. I am requesting the maximum allowed. I 
estimate the cost of food will cost $1100. 

Participation Costs 
While on this trip I plan to visit the following locations: Manasses Battlefield, Warren Riffles Confederate Museum, 
Prospect Hill Cemetery, Belle Boyd Cottage, Battle Front Royal Tour, Abrams Delight, Belle Grove Plantation, 
Ceder Creek Battlefield, New Market Battlefield, Monticello, Lee Chapel and Museum, Cyrus McCormick Farm, 
George Marshall Museum, Sam Houston Monument, Stonewall Jackson House, Stonewall Jackson Cemetery, VMI 
Museum and Academy, Appomattox Court House, Capital Square, Hollywood Cemetery, Museum of the 
Confederacy, White House of the Confederacy, Virginia State Capital, Richmond National Battlefield Park, 
Pamphlin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier, Violet Bank Museum, Old Blandford 
Church, Petersburg National Battlefield, Endview Plantation, Lee Hall Museum, Mariners Museum, USS Monitor 
Center, Virginia War Museum, Fort Monroe, Yorktown Battlefield, Jamestown Battlefield, Cape Henry Memorial, 
Colonial Williamsburg, Presidential Park, Civil War Life- The Soldiers Museum, Fredericksburg Area Museum, 
James Monroe Museum and Memorial, Kenmore Plantation, Mary Washington House, Chancellorville Battlefield, 
Chatham House, Fredericksburg Battlefield, Stonewall Jackson Shrine, Spotsylvania Battlefield, Wilderness 
Battlefield, American Civil War Museum, Eisenhower National Historical Site, Jennie Wade House, Soldiers 
National Museum, Gettysburg Cemetery, and Gettysburg Battlefield. The cost for visiting all of these historical sites 
is $450.00. 

Materials 
I have figured that materials will come to more than the grant will allow. I will be spending some of my own personal 
money on classroom materials and memorabilia. I am requesting $100.00 to help cover the cost. 


Application Number: 004 
Current Grade Level: 9-12th Grade 
Current Teaching Assignment: History/Social Studies 

Itemized Budget Sheet 
Application Number: 004 
Destination City: Virginia and Maryland 
Destination State/Province: Virginia and Maryland 
Primary Destination Country: United States 
Destination Continent: North America 
Transportation Type: Personal Car Amount $ 1,800.00 
Lodging Type: Hotel Amount $ 1,550.00 
Food Allowance Amount: Amount $ 1,100.00 
Participation Costs: Course/Program Tuition, Registration Costs, Tour Fees Amount $ 450.00 
Material Type: Reference Materials, Souvenirs Amount $ 100.00 
Equipment Fees Type: Amount $ 0.00 
Other Fees Type: Amount $ 0.00 
Total Cost of Project: Amount $ 5,000.00 


